Sunday, August 9, 2009

Dialogue with the Author

When asked how he came to title his latest short story ‘Long Term’, Maurice Gray, chuckles and then easily responds that it came from real life experience. Like his characters, he once worked temporary assignments. What he observed was that the personalities of many in the temporary positions were well-suited for the work. Their short attention spans made them perfect for their short term projects; i.e., they soon tired of the work and were ready to move on.

A people watcher by nature Maurice compared his surveillances to how relationships are evaluated. Those looking for the casual move in quickly; get what they can get and then move on – these are short-term assignments. He believes that this state of the temporary can mature as focus widens, attention span enlarges and true value is placed on the quality of the relationship, be it personal or business.

Like the variety of assignments he has had, Maurice wears many hats. He is a sought after editor who also serves on the faculties of the Sandy Cove and Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conferences where he teaches workshops and evaluates manuscripts for attendees. He is also a member of the Damascus Road Authors.

A confessed loner who has found himself in a profession that requires much interaction with the public Maurice has found himself rising in the ranks of the Greater Newark area Toastmasters club.

Using laughter as medicine to heal most situations Maurice has been reviving his comedic skills at some of his public venues. He is also an accomplished singer and is very active in the Men’s Chorus and Singles ministry at Bethel AME Church in Wilmington, DE near his home in New Castle, DE.

His published works include To Whom Much Is Given, All Things Work Together and Traveling Mercies (a short story in the Blessed Assurance anthology). His is the ‘as told to’ co-author of Livingston Lee’s – I Really Didn’t Mean To Get HIV. Next year his third novel Female Problems will release.

To learn more about Maurice you are invited to visit him on the web at:www.mauricemgrayjr.comwww.myspace.com/writethevisionmgwww.facebook.com/people/maurice-m-gray-jr

The Soul of This Man Blog Tour continues tomorrow at Blogging in Black. See schedule below: